Vancouver Coastal Health is conducting a comprehensive review after a woman died at Lions Gate Hospital last week.
The health authority says one person was assessed by a doctor and received care from hospital staff earlier this month, but patient privacy and confidentiality “prevent us from publicly discussing specific details related to this case “.
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The Vancouver Sun reported that the woman died after more than two days on a stretcher awaiting further treatment.
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“A loss of this nature is heartbreaking for the family and care providers. We are deeply saddened by this incident and share our deepest condolences with the affected family,” VCH said in a statement.
“Coastal leaders have met with the family to offer additional support and will continue to meet with them to answer any questions they may have.”
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The BC Nurses Union says members have raised concerns about what happened at Lions Gate Hospital and believe staff shortages led to inadequate care.
The healthcare system as a whole has come under enormous pressure in recent months.
Chronic staff shortages have been compounded by early retirements due to burnout and sick days due to COVID-19.
“There simply aren’t enough nurses to monitor patients to the extent that they need to be monitored,” said BCNU Vice President Adriane Gear.
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“This is a very tragic thing that has happened at Lions Gate Hospital, but it could happen frankly at any hospital in British Columbia.”
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From July 11 to 17, 15,776 health workers across the province contracted the disease for at least one day. This represented around 9.8% of the total healthcare workforce.
Even with extremely high absenteeism rates, the province and health authorities ensure that timely public care will be provided to patients.
“We are committed to the health and safety of everyone in our care,” the VCH statement said.
“We remain committed to supporting our healthcare workers as they provide care to patients at this difficult and challenging time.”
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